Colorado Marines 2012 Preview

The Colorado Springs Marines, reeling from a 6 game World Series loss to Brighton, wasted little time setting their sights on 2012. On November 5th, just 5 days after clearing out the locker room, Marines GM Eric Posch got the ball rolling on the deal which would bring new ace Matt Cain into the fold. It wasn’t without cost, as the Marines gave up Nick Markakis - their second overall choice in the entry draft – along with youngsters Ivan Nova, Danny Espinosa and others. But chances to add guys like Cain don’t come along often. At just 27 years old and with one of the league’s best current cards, the Marines believe Cain is a long term solution to extending their rotation into a fierce perennial playoff force.

Cain, though, will front a rotation not lonely for talent. At #2 will be Cliff Lee: innings hog, and shy on extra base hits. #3 will be Cueto’s ~170 innings in his career year to this point. #4 is Felix Hernandez – not the dominant card he had last year, but one of the better fourth starters in the league. Rounding out the rotation will be Jake Peavy and Homer Bailey; not exciting pitchers, but guys who should keep the Marines in most games.

Good pitching doesn’t win many games without a good offense, though, and the Marines bring plenty of firepower. The lineup will feature a very solid balance of defense, speed, power and on base ability, led by Matt Kemp – perhaps the best offensive card in the game. Joey Votto, Albert Pujols, Justin Upton and Evan Longoria provide the depth, and not to be forgotten is Matt Wieters and his nightmare card against lefties. On most nights, the lineup will feature six 1’s and two 2’s defensively, and eight players with on base chances of 35% or higher.

Perhaps the biggest weakness of the Marines will be their bullpen. They will be led by Daniel Bard, though may see him head to the rotation in 2013. The Marines missed a couple of their guys in the draft, and compensated with two live arms in Albuquerque and Sanchez who will strike out a ton and give up no hits, but also walk a few. Rounding out the pen will be Santiago Casilla (no HR chances), Andrew Bailey (strong against righties; hoping for a bounceback year) and LOOGY Randy Choate.

The bench also looks stronger than in past years for the Marines. Righty crusher Alejandro de Aza will help spot Parra in left, and big bat Jason Giambi will be a huge pinch hit threat with great on base and power ability on both sides. 19th round pick Matt Angle may also see some time on the bench to perform a Jarrod Dyson role and make life miserable for the opposition on the basepaths.

All told, the Marines have a team that can compete with just about anyone, but they know that nothing is certain. Seeing Washington bounced by Edgewater in the Divisional Series last year shows that just about anything can happen in this game. While the Marines eye their first 100 win season, they won’t get any mercy and will have to battle game in and game out to fulfill their dream of hoisting the Hello Kitty Cup.